The News That Matters about the Nuclear Industry

Court to hear Hawaiian challenge against depleted uranium storage

Hearing next week on challenge to Army license for depleted uranium I Lind.net, Ian Lind, January 6th, 2010

The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, an agency of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, will hold a hearing next week on challenges filed by four Hawaii residents to an Army license to possess depleted uranium at Schofield Barracks on Oahu and the Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island.

The Army wants to leave depleted uranium deposited during past training exercises in place both in these two Hawaii sites as well as training areas across the country.

Critics say depleted uranium can cause public health problems, especially when it has burned and created fine radioactive dust particles.

Depleted uranium is very heavy and has been used in various U.S. weapons, including some bullets and bombs, and some heavy armor…………………..

The hearing before three administrative judges on Wednesday, January 13 will be in the board’s hearing room in Rockville, Maryland. Army representatives will appear before the board in person, while the challengers will participate by videoconference from the University of Hawaii’s Hilo campus.

The hearing will be also be streamed live via the Internet and available for later viewing on the NRC’s web site, although I don’t yet have the URLs.